ROOTED IN History
Lasting Impact
Long-Time Faculty and their Relationships with the Next Generation of Teachers at De La Salle The De La Salle High School story began in September of 1965 with the first Spartans at Most Precious Blood. Then, a year later students walked the Winton Drive campus for the first time. That was 57 years ago, and over that time there have been many faculty members that have taught lessons in the classrooms. Many of those faculty members have come and gone, but some have lasted for more than three decades, and for a few, more than 40 years. Legendary De La Salle football coach and Religious Studies teacher Bob Ladouceur retired last year after 42 years on campus, leaving the longevity title to his “right-hand man” Terry Eidson, who has been teaching, coaching, and mentoring De La Salle students for 41 years, as the longest-tenured faculty or staff member currently on campus. As of now, only Ladouceur and Eidson have reached the 40-year mark at De La Salle, but a few others are approaching that milestone. Following in Eidson’s footsteps are four faculty members who have been teaching, coaching, and mentoring students at De La Salle for more than 30 years. Kelly Gardner, the World Languages Department Chair, has been teaching Spanish at the school for 35 years, Math teachers Steve Guthrie and Scott Hirsch ‘82 have been on campus for 34 and 32 years, respectively, and John Pelster ‘87 has been teaching English classes for 30 years, while coaching the cross country team for the last 16. Although a paragraph cannot tell the entire story about these individuals’ time at De La Salle, one thing we know is true, they all have made a lasting impression on numerous young men over the past three-plus decades.
Terry Eidson
(September 1, 1981) – Religious Studies/ Bishop Cummins Program Coming to De La Salle in August of 1981, Terry Eidson, who has done just about everything for the school, which includes teaching, leading senior synthesis, and mentoring student leaders, while coaching football and golf and even serving as the Athletic Director for 12 years. “What keeps me coming back every day to De La Salle is our outstanding faculty and support from the administration,” said Eidson. “I have been truly blessed to come to De La Salle for the last 40 years. This is not a job but a vocation for me, and the students keep me young and on my toes.” In his primary role as a faculty member in the Religious Studies Department, beginning in 2021-22, Eidson is no longer coaching sports. He is now a “limited consultant” for football and has moved over to assist with the Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program. “Most importantly, not a day goes by where I am not challenged,” Eidson said. “With the challenge, though, comes a lot of laughter and enjoyment knowing that I am a part of a community of brotherhood and love. Continuing the mission with graduates reminds me of the impact De La Salle can have on its students, and it is inspiring to see the alumni giving back to a place that meant so much to them.” Currently, there are more than 10,000 alums of the school, so knowing the exact number of people that Terry Eidson has either taught or coached over his 41 years is hard to quantify. But one thing is for sure; he’s left an impact on many Spartans. One way we can quantify his De La Salle legacy is knowing that he either taught or coached 12 of the 24 current faculty and staff members at the school. 11
| Union Magazine
